IFFK 2017: Padmavati row shows curbing of creative voices, says Aparna Sen

Bengali actress and filmmaker, Aparna Sen, expressed concern at the way the filmmakers of Padmavati were being bullied. She was speaking the Aravindan Memorial Lecture at the ongoing International Film Festival of Kerala on 10 December. 

Speaking of the protests against Sanjay Leela’s Padmavati, the Padma Shri awardee said, “When I talk of Padmavati, I am not only talking of the film but what it represents. It represents a curbing of creative voices. That is what is frightening today.”

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the fringe right wing group Rajput Karni Sena have taken offence to the alleged distortion of facts in the film, with members of the Rajput Karni Sena and BJP’s chief media coordinator from Haryana, Suraj Pal Amu, openly announcing cash rewards for killing the film’s actress Deepika Padukone and director Bhansali.

The Bengali actress also spoke of the idea of Hinduism. “Hinduism was a deeply compassionate way of life, as we all know. The people who are the Hindu Talibans of today are very vociferous. They are lynching people, they are killing people. But the liberal voices are not heard. We are not as vociferous, because we take this for granted. We are embarrassed to even say these things. But it has to be said, over and over again. This is my appeal to all to stand up against this kind of fear.”